Christmas in Hawaii - Expectation vs. Reality

By Lauren Brose ‘15

It all started when my dad got his first teaching job in Oahu back in the 70′s. He was 22 and had $2,000 to his name. The simple life was all that interested him and the surf in Hawaii was spectacular enough to make my dad move out there for a year. He suggested that his mother check out Hawaii for herself. She fell in love instantly and today, over 30 years later, my grandma and her husband retired from teaching and live in Hawaii permanently. Naturally, I escape the Southern California “cold” (in my defense, it was pretty cold the days leading up to my departure) and spend my Christmas’s in Hawaii. This isn’t the most traditional form of Christmas considering Hawaii is the polar (pun totally intended) opposite of how Christmas is normally imagined. 

I compiled a list of expectations those who are unfamiliar with Hawaii would have of Hawaii and the actual reality. After 22 years on planet earth, I lost track of how many times I’ve spent weeks at a time in Hawaii but if I was to give an approximate number, it’d be around 20 times. 

Note: All of these pictures are mine with the exception of the ABC Store photo as well as the two Forgetting Sarah Marshall GIFs which I had to include because, well, best movie ever B)

Expectation: The weather is perfect year round in Hawaii

Reality: What do you define as being perfect? Winds predicted to being up to 100 mph, overcast skies thanks for “vog” (volcanic fog from Hawaii’s active volcano, Kilauea), and random showers throughout the day? I’ve been in Hawaii since last Thursday and Tuesday was the first day I was able to eat breakfast outside. Before my luck is turned around— and the wind kicks back into full force— I am gonna go for a quick run.

Expectation: Everywhere I turn I can see the ocean

Reality: This is the case for many, but not all parts of Hawaii guarantees a beautiful ocean view. My grandma lives on top of a massive hill so luckily I am able to sit outside as I type this blog post with gorgeous views of the Pacific; however, if you travel inland or to a flatter area, the chances of you seeing water everywhere you turn is unlikely.

Expectation: Tons of ABC stores and fast food joints

Reality: Maybe in Waikiki, which is on Oahu. The big island is a lot more widespread than other, smaller islands and as a result of that there are two specific areas that are saturated with tons of touristy restaurants and shops. If you don’t mind random showers of rain and overcast skies, Hilo is the ideal place to go. It’s 2 hours from where I stay so I don’t make the trek unless it’s the Saturday farmers market. Kona is where I’d recommend going instead— all aspects of civilization embodies Kona including the only Costco in all of Hawaii. As for the ABC stores, you can find them in Kona. As far as I can tell, there are maybe two or three subways and McDonalds on the entire island. Nothing in comparison to all that Figueroa has to offer ;) 

Expectation: Green everywhere 

Reality: While Hawaii looks like a tropical jungle in postcards, films, and on the tourism ads, there are two very distinct types of climate you will experience on the big island: the wet and the dry side. My grandma lives on the “dry side” of Hawaii. Driving to “the wet side” takes around a half hour. I enjoy going to Hawi (pronounced “ha-vee”) where my favorite lunch spot— not just in Hawaii but pretty much everywhere i’ve ever been— is at. It’s a family-run restaurant called “Minnie’s” and the food they serve is unreal. On the wet side, there are tons of valleys with amazing lookouts and trails to hike. Here’s a picture from my hike in Pololu.

Expectation: Everyone is surfing

Reality: Yes, there is a massive surf culture in Hawaii. I also believe that those who learn how to surf in Hawaii conditions are excellent at both swimming and catching waves. However, that doesn’t mean all that everyone does during their free time is surf. Because the population in Hawaii isn’t the highest, especially on the big island, there is a tight knit community where people become familiarized with those around them. There’s a lot of socializing and relaxing at the less crowded beaches, but the volume of surfing isn’t any different from what you’d see in a surf town. 


Expectation: Mai tais and pina coladas all day everyday on the beach 

Reality: If you’re staying at a resort of hold a membership at one of the beachfront hotels, this is very likely. If not, I highly doubt you will be sunbathing casually on a public beach sipping on a passion fruit daiquiri. In fact, Hawaii has the same open container laws that the rest of the country has!

Expectation: Everyone wears “Hawaiian shirts”

Reality: This is simply not true. Locals would never be caught dead wearing one and although some Hawaiian shirts do have cool designs, I would recommend not wearing one in Hawaii if you’re trying to fit in and not get called a “haole” (not native Hawaiian, namely caucasian). Ironically enough, Hawaiian shirts are sold aggressively in all gift shops throughout the island.

Expectation: If you want to go eat Hawaiian food, a luau is the best choice

Reality: From all my experiences going to luaus, the food there is nothing close to the amazing eats you will find elsewhere. In my humblest opinion, I firmly believe the gas station spam musubi is better than anything I’ve consumed at a luau. Luau’s are great for those who want to witness Hawaiian culture in the comfort of their hotel; however, there is so much more one can find throughout the island. The shaved ice here isn’t just ice and syrup–– it’s much more than that. I ordered the “Kona Coffee Special” which essentially tasted like a Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks. 

The bottom was filled with scoops of Kona Coffee ice cream, the middle consisted of the usual shaved ice but with the same kona coffee flavor and the top had whipped cream with caramel syrup. This was some next level stuff I was dealing with and it was served out of a truck that has multiple locations throughout the island. Hilo’s farmers market as well as the random stands that sprout up near highways sells some of the most exotic fruits in this entire country! My mom, originally from Vietnam, is an expert at spotting the best fruits at these markets. We manage to get our hands on papaya, mango, starfruit, longan, rambutan, durian (I hate this one), and jackfruit. Sometimes restaurants can be a bit of a hit or miss but when you find a gem such as Minnie’s in Hawi or Habor House Restaurant in Kona, you’ll want to come back a few more times before your trip is over. I once stumbled upon one of the best fish n’ chips in a small food court in Kona but unfortunately the name isn’t coming to mind. As you can see, I can talk about food for days. For me, when I go to Hawaii eating fish as much as I can is on the top of my list. There’s a fish market just down the street from my grandma’s house that sells fish they freshly caught that morning including Ono, Mahi Mahi, Ahi. Of course, they also offer Pokē in a variety of seasonings. I’d suggest asking locals for their own suggestions or checking out Yelp.

Expectation: Hula is a second language as well as knowing how to play the ukulele

Reality: The only times I’ve seen people hula was during an overpriced luau my cousins suckered me into going and at a dinner event my grandma hosted where she invited live performers over. I wouldn’t say hula dancing is something that people are doing out in the open. My friend who attended high school on the big island told me she had to learn a hula dance with her classmates and do it at night on the beach. Still, that is without an audience and had a deeper meaning than to just dance. This applies to ukuleles as well. Through all my years of coming to Hawaii, I’ve never witnessed anyone play the ukulele just because they wanted to get into the island spirit. The only exception was when I saw street performers trying to earn tips.

Expectation: Everyone local looks like they’re Hawaiian

Reality: What my grandma loves most about living here is the fact there are so many people coming form somewhere else before settling into Hawaii and this  creates a sense of community with non-natives. Some of them will look as if they have Hawaiian ancestry and many are caucasian as well as other ethnicities. Additionally, locals are extremely friendly, happy and approachable people. If I was living in 80 degree weather with beautiful beaches and long days, I would be happy all the time too.

Expectation: Because it’s so hot, Christmas is not as big in Hawaii

Reality: Christmas in Hawaii is all that I know. I spent one Christmas in California and it was when I was 6. I know this because I received a Barbie ATV for Christmas and one would never forget the joy that was felt that morning :D. Hawaii is special for me because I associate it with Christmas. My grandma decorates a tree every year, we have Christmas decorations throughout the house and we always eat a fabulous Christmas dinner. My favorite part is the morning when everyone eats breakfast together before we open presents. Our breakfast consists of fresh papaya, POG (passion fruit + guava + orange juice), french toast made with taro bread, bacon, cinnamon rolls and quiches. What more can you ask for? : )

Christmas day, 2014

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